Chemical and pharmacological studies of Drepanoalpha

Sickle cell disease is a hereditary hemoglobinopathy linked to the presence of hemoglobin S in the blood and constitutes a major public health problem in endemic areas. The available drugs are imported, making them expensive in relation to the purchasing power of the majority of the population. The average cost of hospital treatment for an eight-day crisis is $274 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The hereditary nature of the disease means that several children in the same family can be affected. The disease is therefore a priority public health problem and requires a sustainable solution. For more than 10 years, our team has been conducting rigorous and high-level scientific research on the plants used in Traditional Medicine to treat this disease. These studies have led to the formulation of an improved remedy based on medicinal plants from the Democratic Republic of Congo called Drepanoalpha.